Trail Blazers rally to avenge loss to Jazz

PORTLAND — Damian Lillard had 23 points and the Portland Trail Blazers got revenge for a loss to Utah the night before with a 105-99 victory Saturday night.

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By The Associated Press

MailTribune.com

By The Associated Press

Posted Feb. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 3, 2013 at 2:50 AM

By The Associated Press

Posted Feb. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 3, 2013 at 2:50 AM

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PORTLAND — Damian Lillard had 23 points and the Portland Trail Blazers got revenge for a loss to Utah the night before with a 105-99 victory Saturday night.

Utah defeated the Blazers 86-77 on Friday night in the first game of the back-to-back between the division rivals.

J.J. Hickson added 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Blazers, who have won four of their last six after a season-high six-game losing streak. Nicolas Batum had 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, falling just short of his third triple-double this season.

Randy Foye had 23 points for the Jazz, who led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter.

The Blazers led 88-83 on Nolan Smith's reverse layup with 4:59 left in the game. He added a 3-pointer that made it 93-87 and Portland held off the Jazz the rest of the way.

Lillard, the rookie points (18.3) and assists (6.5) leader who has won NBA Rookie of the Month honors for the past three months, added eight assists. The game was his 23rd this season with at least 20 points.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Blazers.

Both teams were banged up.

Portland was without starter Wesley Matthews, who rolled his right ankle in the loss to Utah the night before. Matthews tested the ankle in pregame warmups, but about 12 minutes before game time he was replaced in the starting lineup by Victor Claver.

Portland was also without backup point guard Ronnie Price, who had a sprained right ankle.

Meanwhile, Batum played despite a sore right wrist that has been bothering him for several games.

Cavaliers 115, Thunder 110

At Cleveland, Kyrie Irving scored 35 points, including 13 in the final 2:52, and the Cleveland Cavaliers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder.

One night after saying he was "disinterested" during a loss in Detroit, Irving was simply spectacular down the stretch. He single-handedly closed out one of the NBA's best teams, making his last five shots and showing why he's an All-Star at 20. Irving's biggest shot was a 3-pointer with 42 seconds left to make it 113-108.

Spurs 96, Wizards 86

At San Antonio, Tim Duncan sprained his left knee and right ankle in the first half of the Spurs' victory.

Tony Parker scored 19 points, Danny Green added 15 and Tiago Splitter had 12 for San Antonio (38-11), which has won 18 straight at home.

Knicks 120, Kings 81

At New York, Amare Stoudemire was 10 for 10 from the field for 21 points, and the Knicks unleashed a 38-4 run on Sacramento in the first half and went on to their fourth straight victory.

Rockets 109, Bobcats 95

At Houston, James Harden had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double, leading the Rockets to the victory.

Bobcats rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was taken off the court on a stretcher in the fourth quarter after teammate Jeff Taylor collided with him going for a rebound. Kidd-Gilchrist was fitted with a neck brace and taken to the hospital.

Coach Mike Dunlap said after the game that Kidd-Gilchrist was moving his extremities and talking as he left the floor. He did not know if Kidd-Gilchrist would be kept in Houston overnight.

Bulls 93, Hawks 76

At Atlanta, Luol Deng had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and the short-handed Bulls used their stifling defense to shut down the Hawks.

Warriors 113, Suns 93

At Oakland, Calif., Stephen Curry returned after missing two games with an ankle injury and scored 19 of his 29 points in the second half, leading Golden State to its fourth consecutive victory.

Harrison Barnes matched his season high with 21 points for the Warriors, who have won seven of nine overall. David Lee had 16 points and 12 rebounds, Klay Thompson added 17 points and Andrew Bogut finished with 11.